The Ault Sisters - Biography
Welcome to the freshest new faces and sound in pop music. Toronto trio The Ault Sisters combine the exuberance of youth and impeccable vocal skills to stunning effect on their new single, "U Got My Heart." This infectious track will burrow into your head upon first listen, and it won't let go. Nor will you want it to. No surprise, then, that radio is quickly jumping all over the song.
The three beautiful Ault Sisters are Amanda (19), Alicia (17), and Alanna (15). They have been working and recording extensively with noted producer/songwriter Greg Kavanagh (BKS, Wendy Lands), releasing an album, Butterflies, in early 2010. The fruits of their labours are on vivid display on "U Got My Heart."
A Kavanagh composition, it resonated immediately with The Ault Sisters. "We all just loved the track, and when we tried it with all three voices, it sounded better than any of us imagined," says Alicia. The sisters added their magical vocal harmonies to its catchy melody and Euro-oriented grooves, resulting in a single that is both freshly contemporary and timelessly classic. "U Got My Heart" fits perfectly into the rhythmic dance-pop style currently dominating commercial radio while simultaneously evoking the spirit of such artists as ABBA and the girl groups of the '60s.
The enjoyment the girls had working on the track is immediately audible in the song's upbeat vibe. "It was a whole lot of fun and very exciting to do," says Alanna. "I loved the beat of the song, and it definitely has the feel of the songs I listen to on the radio." The three sisters have diverse musical tastes and experience, but they are united in their enthusiasm for this style. The likes of Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, and Corinne Bailey Rae are current favourites and inspirations, and with "U Got My Heart" they've delivered a track that will fit seamlessly alongside those artists on pop playlists.
Helping set The Ault Sisters apart from their solo peers is the power of their vibrant vocal harmonies. "I think that incorporating harmonies into newer music is what makes our group unique," Alicia astutely observes. They've been singing together all their lives, and this comes as naturally to them as breathing. "We love singing the different parts together and harmonizing with each other," says Amanda. "It is just a lot of fun to perform and record together."
Greg Kavanagh observes that "through their genes, sisters tend to have similarities in their voice and they seem to have an uncanny ability to match. They chase each other around harmonically, so the blends were very interesting. We’d work up harmony parts and ideas and they’d run in and sing them. There’s no AutoTune or studio trickery involved here. Every harmony part is them doing it for real."
Despite their youth, the Ault Sisters are far from musical novices. Classically-trained and all winners at numerous vocal
competitions, they have performed at such prestigious venues as Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre, Brampton’s Rose Theatre, and top Toronto live music club Hugh’s Room.
With "U Got My Heart," they are now entering the pop realm with real energy and enthusiasm. Here is a new song and group to take to heart.
Amanda
Amanda is 19 and has enjoyed singing and performing all of her life. The oldest member of the group, her sure and steady voice is the foundation upon which most of the girls’ trademark harmonies are built. Her sense of fun and frivolity shines through in her music.
Amanda is a graduate of the Cawthra Park Secondary School Regional Arts Programme, where she majored in voice. Amanda participated in Cawthra Park’s Intermediate Girls Choir, Ritz Choir, Les Belles Classique vocal ensemble, Jazz-A-Peel vocal ensemble, and Chamber Choir. In 2005 she was one of ten students chosen to represent Cawthra Park as a member of the 2005/06 Peel Honour Choir. Amanda also studied at the Young Artists Performance Academy of the Glenn Gould School in Toronto, in its Senior Voice Programme. Amanda participated in the 2008 OMFA Provincial Finals for Intermediate Music Theatre and Grade 8 Voice, and recently placed second in the First Year University Women’s class at the 2008 NATS competition. She is currently attending York University in her second year in its esteemed Bachelor of Fine Arts program, studying voice under the tutelage of singing teacher Norma Burrows and vocal coach Jennifer Tung. "I'm finding the study of the history of Western music really interesting," Amanda says.
She is now a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, a prestigious academic honour which requires that a student be placed in the top 15% of their University class and be nominated by the University to be eligible to join.
Like her sisters, Amanda has a strong social conscience. This is demonstrated by the annual Ault Sisters Christmas concert at leading Toronto music venue, Hugh's Room, one that serves as a fundraiser for World Vision. "That's a cause we all feel very strongly about," she says. "We sponsor a child through World Vision."
Amanda is a big Lady GaGa fan. \When she’s not making music, she can usually be found shopping or sipping lattes with her friends.
Alicia
Alicia sang in her first vocal competition at the age of 5 and has been singing ever since. At seventeen, she is the “dreaded middle child” of the group. Her incredible range, passionate musical expression, and willingness to take vocal risks make Alicia a singer to be reckoned with.
In 2001, at the age of 8, Alicia was named “The Most Promising Young Performer” at the Rotary Music Festival – Burlington. Alicia was the 2004 recipient of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Silver Medal for Grade 3 Singing, and in 2005 received the Peel Music Festival’s Barbara Underhill Scholarship for Most Promising Female Vocalist. She was Runner-Up for Junior Musical Theatre at the 2006 OMFA Provincial Finals; received Honourable Mentions for both Junior Musical Theatre and Grade 7 Voice at the 2007 OMFA Provincial Finals; won the High School Musical Theatre class at the 2008 NATS competition; and placed Third for Intermediate Musical Theatre at the 2009 OMFA Provincial Finals. Alicia studies at the Young Artists Performance Academy of the Glenn Gould School in Toronto in its Senior Voice Programme. She won the High School Musical Theatre Class at the 2009 NATS Ontario competition, where she was also named the Most Promising Singer in the musical theatre categories. Alicia won the same award at the 2010 NATS Regional competitions, and again won as the Most Promising Singer in the musical theatre categories. She received Honourable Mention for Intermediate Theatre and won the Grade 9 Voice category at the 2010 Ontario Provincial Finals.
She is also the 2008 recipient of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Silver Medal for Grade 7 Voice. Alicia was a Grade 12 vocal student in Peel’s Regional Arts Programme at Cawthra Park Secondary School and currently studies voice with singing teacher Linda Fletcher and vocal coach Jennifer Tung. She recently played the role of “Maria” in the 2009 Stage It Performing Arts Studio’s production of the “Sound of Music” and in 2010 took on the role of “Eponine” in Stage It’s production of “Les Miserables”.
Alicia recently transferred to Etobicoke School for the Arts. "I'm studying dance and musical theatre, and really enjoying it," she says. This high school includes many leading Canadian rock stars, actors and dancers amongst its graduates, and Alicia is destined to continue this tradition.
Her current favourite artist is Katy Perry. Alicia enjoys getting involved and can often be found acting as the self-appointed advocate for any cause near to her heart.
Alanna
Alanna is the youngest member of the trio. At 15 years old, she is already a seasoned performer. Her pure, sweet tone gives her a sound that has been described as angelic.
Alanna is currently a Grade 10 student in the voice programme at Cawthra Park Secondary School. She has won many awards for singing at local music festivals such as the Rotary Music festival – Burlington and Peel Music Festival. In 2003, Alanna was a finalist in the competition for the “Most Promising Young Performer” Award at the Rotary Music Festival – Burlington’s Grand Festival Concert. She recently placed Third in the High School Women, Grade 9 – 10 Class at the 2009 NATS competition. She recently attended the 2009 Hawaii Performing Arts Festival’s Junior Vocal Programme and has started her second year of vocal studies at the Young Artists Performance Academy of the Glenn Gould School. She also studies voice with singing teacher Linda Fletcher and vocal coach Jennifer Tung.
Alanna is an avid reader who is always leaving a trail of books in her wake. She loves listening to pop radio, and cites Corinne Bailey Rae as a favourite.
For more information, contact:
Jane Harbury Publicity
29 Oxford Street
Toronto, ON M5T 1N8
(416) 960-1568
Click Here to hear the new single "U Got My Heart"